Sullivan County Schools & Education

Sullivan County, Tennessee

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

55/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

94.4%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

94.4%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 93.3%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,522

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,215

School Score

55/100

Higher = better

State avg 47/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#32

of 95 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Sullivan County

School Verdict

Sullivan County performs at an average level with a school score of 55/100 and a solid graduation rate of 94.4%.

Funding Context

At $6,522 per pupil, Sullivan County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Sullivan County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 17% above the Tennessee average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 1.1 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Sullivan County, Tennessee

A Robust Tri-City Educational Network

Sullivan County features a diverse landscape of 37 public schools serving 19,690 students across three distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 23 elementary, 7 middle, and 5 high schools, offering broad coverage for the region.

Strong Academic Results and Balanced Investment

The county maintains a 94.4% graduation rate, which exceeds the state average and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Local investment is strong, with per-pupil spending at $6,522, surpassing the Tennessee average of $6,215.

Three Districts Serving Local Hubs

Sullivan County Schools is the largest district with 8,380 students, followed closely by Kingsport with 7,784 and Bristol with 4,029. No charter schools operate in the county, as the three traditional districts manage 100% of the public enrollment.

From Urban Centers to Rural Valleys

This county offers high locale diversity with 19 schools in city settings, 11 in rural areas, and 7 in suburbs. The massive Dobyns-Bennett High School serves 2,514 students, representing a significant contrast to smaller local primary schools.

Relocate Near Sullivan's Diverse Districts

With its mix of city and suburban school options, Sullivan County offers families various lifestyles paired with strong academic outcomes. High graduation rates and competitive school scores make this area a premier choice for Tennessee homebuyers.

School Overview

Total Schools

37

in Sullivan County

Total Enrollment

19,690

students

School Districts

3

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary23
Middle7
High5
Other2

3 School Districts in Sullivan County

Sullivan County

17 schools
8,380 students

Kingsport

12 schools
7,784 students

Bristol

9 schools
4,029 students

37 Public Schools in Sullivan County

Dobyns - Bennett High School

Kingsport

9–12High2,514 students
West Ridge High School

Sullivan County

9–12High1,683 students
Tennessee High School

Bristol

9–12High1,154 students
Ross N. Robinson Middle School

Kingsport

6–8Middle955 students
Bristol Tennessee Middle School

Bristol

6–8Middle883 students
Sullivan East High School

Sullivan County

9–12High849 students
John Sevier Middle School

Kingsport

6–8Middle750 students
Sullivan Heights Middle School

Sullivan County

6–9Middle692 students
Holston Elementary

Sullivan County

PK–5Primary635 students
Sullivan Central Middle School

Sullivan County

6–8Middle590 students
Bluff City Elementary

Sullivan County

PK–5Primary585 students
Sullivan East Middle School

Sullivan County

6–8Middle573 students
Ketron Elementary School

Sullivan County

PK–5Primary563 students
Andrew Johnson Elementary School

Kingsport

PK–5Primary543 students
Andrew Jackson Elementary School

Kingsport

PK–5Primary496 students
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

Kingsport

PK–5Primary487 students
John Adams Elementary School

Kingsport

KG–5Primary453 students
Avoca Elementary

Bristol

PK–5Primary423 students
Rock Springs Elementary

Sullivan County

PK–5Primary415 students
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School

Kingsport

PK–5Primary399 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,522

State avg $6,215

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Sullivan County rate?
Sullivan County has a school score of 55/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Sullivan County?
The high school graduation rate in Sullivan County is 94.4%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Sullivan County spend per student?
Sullivan County spends $6,522 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Sullivan County, Tennessee — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Sullivan County, Tennessee?

Sullivan County features a diverse landscape of 37 public schools serving 19,690 students across three distinct districts. The infrastructure includes 23 elementary, 7 middle, and 5 high schools, offering broad coverage for the region.

How do schools in Sullivan County perform academically?

The county maintains a 94.4% graduation rate, which exceeds the state average and the national benchmark of 87.0%. Local investment is strong, with per-pupil spending at $6,522, surpassing the Tennessee average of $6,215.

What are the major school districts in Sullivan County, Tennessee?

Sullivan County Schools is the largest district with 8,380 students, followed closely by Kingsport with 7,784 and Bristol with 4,029. No charter schools operate in the county, as the three traditional districts manage 100% of the public enrollment.

What is the school experience like in Sullivan County?

This county offers high locale diversity with 19 schools in city settings, 11 in rural areas, and 7 in suburbs. The massive Dobyns-Bennett High School serves 2,514 students, representing a significant contrast to smaller local primary schools.

How can I find homes near good schools in Sullivan County, Tennessee?

With its mix of city and suburban school options, Sullivan County offers families various lifestyles paired with strong academic outcomes. High graduation rates and competitive school scores make this area a premier choice for Tennessee homebuyers.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.